In a press conference on Tuesday, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman advocated for the passage of the 125th amendment bill with provisions for direct funding to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He also emphasized the implementation of “Article 371 (K)” in Tripura and the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language. According to Barman, these demands are legitimate, and the Congress party has been persistently fighting for their implementation.
Barman urged both the state government and the Centre to address these issues promptly to ensure the development of the TTAADC. He stressed that it is high time for authorities to take necessary steps in this regard.
During the press conference, the Congress MLA also criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he described as “playing divisive politics” in the state. Barman specifically pointed out the Janajati Suraksha Manch (JSM), a group backed by the ruling party, which allegedly claimed that individuals who converted to Christianity no longer adhered to tribal customs. The JSM reportedly called for a constitutional amendment to delist them from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Barman strongly condemned these claims, labeling them as “completely unconstitutional, illegal, and provocative.” He argued that instead of addressing real issues such as education, drinking water, power, and employment in tribal areas, unconstitutional demands were being raised by a group associated with the ruling party.
Expressing his concern, Barman stated, “What is more shocking is that neither the state government nor the ruling party put forth their stand on this. Even the chief minister is completely silent over the issue that needs to be addressed immediately as it can destroy the peace and harmony of the state.”
He called on the state government to investigate whether permission had been granted for a rally scheduled on December 25 by JSM members to press for their demands. Barman strongly advocated for the cancellation of the rally, deeming the demand to withdraw benefits from ST individuals who have converted to Christianity as “completely unacceptable.” He emphasized that December 25 is a day of celebration for people of all communities and that permission should not be granted for an “unconstitutional and illegal demand.”
